May 15th 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Dispensing motion unanimously passed at the UK LMC conference

GPCs across the UK have been unanimously mandated to modernise NHS GP dispensing contracts. A motion to the UK LMC conference, proposed by Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire LMCs, and unanimously passed by the conference reads: That conference believes that dispensing practices across all four nations are operating under outdated and unfit dispensing contracts with inadequate uplifts, in the context of increased rural community pharmacy closures, and calls on GPCs to:
(i) negotiate with governments across all four nations for a modernised dispensing contracts that reflect current workload, costs and clinical responsibilities, and supports the sustainability of dispensing practices
(ii) secure meaningful, recurrent uplifts to dispensing remuneration
(iii) negotiate the full funding and roll-out of electronic prescription services for dispensing practices across all four nations
(iv) lobby for a change in regulations to permit the temporary expansion of a dispensing practice’s area where an existing pharmacy within the area is unable to meet its contractual obligations.

At the UK LMC conference, GPC Wales Chair Dr Gareth Oelmann again pledged to modernise dispensing arrangements to protect rural sustainability.